Post political files online for cable and satellite as well as broadcast

The FCC yesterday announced it is seeking comment on a petition for rulemaking filed by a coalition of open politics watchdog groups. The Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause and the Sunlight Foundation, had “called on the Federal Communications Commission today to extend to cable and satellite systems the requirement that their political files be posted on the FCC’s online database.”

This is important because more and more, U.S. political campaigns are using cable and satellite – rather than just broadcast TV – to deliver their message. The problem is, the various online disclosure requirements only apply to broadcast. And, since 90 percent of U.S. households use paid television, this is a political problem.

Represented by the Institute for Public Representation of Georgetown University Law Center, the watchdog groups filed a petition for rulemaking with the FCC to equalize the rules.

According to Meredith McGehee, Policy Director of the Campaign Legal Center, “Too many Americans are left in the dark about who or what is bankrolling the sophisticated ad campaigns seeking to influence their vote.”

According to Broadcasting & Cable:

“The groups see enhanced disclosure of political ads as one way to help counter the flood of so-called ‘dark’ money expenditures by third-party groups that followed the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case lifting limits on federal election spending by corporations and unions, spending that can be made through such groups.”

Comments on the petition are due August 28, and replies are due September 8.

Speed Matters supports the proposed rule change and making political files online and accessible for all public broadcasting – whether over-the-air, cable or satellite.

Media Bureau seeks comment on Petition For Rulemaking filed by the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause... (FCC release, Aug. 7, 2014)

Watchdogs Call On FCC to Extend Online Political File Requirements to Cable and Satellite Systems (Campaign Legal Center, Jul. 31, 2014)

FCC Asked to Add Cable, Satellite to Political Ad Database (Broadcasting & Cable, Jul. 31, 2014)